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Ole Miss Colonel Reb - Mississippi

The Mississippi Battle to Save Colonel Reb Continues

Help us restore Colonel Reb! as Ole Miss Mascot

We need 100,000 registered Mississippi voters to sign our petition for Initiative Measure # 37 to put
Colonel Reb on the state ballot in 2012. Let us vote, we can vote, sign the petition.

About the Colonel Reb Political Action Committee
The Colonel Reb Political Action Committee, founded and registered in March 2011, is working hard to restore Colonel Reb as the official mascot of the University of Mississippi. This exciting goal can realistically be achieved by getting Colonel Reb on a statewide Mississippi ballot, as a special initiative — Initiative Measure Number 37. The flag of Mississippi was saved in 2001 by a statewide vote, and this strategy can be used to bring back Colonel Reb. We believe this strategy is the only way to restore the Colonel.

In July 2011, we completed all of the required paperwork with the state capitol to begin our statewide petition drive. The goal of this petition drive is to obtain the required 100,000 signatures of registered Mississippi voters. After the signatures are verified by county clerks, Colonel Reb will have earned his position on the ballot.

It is our hope to have Colonel Reb on the November 2012 presidential election ballot, as a special initiative (Initiative Measure Number 37). Then, all it will take is a majority of voters to vote “Yes” for the Colonel, and the Constitution of the State of Mississippi will be amended to make Colonel Reb permanently “the official and sole mascot” of Ole Miss by state law.

The Colonel Reb PAC is the only organization with a realistic chance to restore the most beloved and cherished mascot in the entire South. The Director of the Colonel Reb PAC previously wrote the Ole Miss student petition to keep Colonel Reb, signed by a record 4,200 Ole Miss students. This petition was ignored by the current Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, who has opposed not only Colonel Reb, but also other elements of Ole Miss heritage, such as the Pride of the South Marching Band’s tradition of playing “Dixie” and “From Dixie with Love.” (The 2010 mascot election that led to the creation of the so-called “black bear mascot” was a fraudulent scheme. We believe that the current university administration lied, when it repeatedly claimed this was a “student-led process,” because this administration unfairly and undemocratically prevented the students’ overwhelming favorite, Colonel Reb, from being an option on the university ballot.) Now, we have no alternative but to take the fight for the Colonel to a higher power — the taxpaying voters of the great State of Mississippi, who have earned the right to have their voices heard on this passionate issue.
Colonel Reb PAC http://www.colonelrebpac.com/ Sign the Petition - -
Colonel Reb on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ColonelRebPAC

Ole Miss Colonel Reb has been unfairly removed

University of Mississippi dropped Colonel Reb in 2010,
selects Rebel Black Bear.
The Rebel Mascot Selection Committee announces the Rebel Black Bear as the
new on-field mascot for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Ole Miss Alumina says:
I can not stress enough how much this decision will destroy the Ole Miss
culture. Although it may appear as a benign decision, it is most
definitely not. The mascot will be the new persona of Ole Miss and
after time, people will refer to us as the 'bears' and the 'rebels' name will be
lost forever in history.
Symbols are reminders of our past which provide us a sense of identity,
regardless of the stigmas attached to them. why would anyone want to strip a
person or
group of people of their history, culture, and lifestyle. a better way to
embrace
multicultural diversity is to understand and tolerate the culture of others
instead of
suppressing and imposing sanctions against it. Shame on the administration for
showing
gutless leadership... more like Ole Miss Gestapo than Ole Miss Black Bears.

Despite the politically correctness at Ole Miss, Mississippi does have
the most pro Confederate Flag Governor in the South. To the credit of
Haley Barbour, the Mississippi Flag is proudly displayed on highway
patrol cars and if front of state buildings. We remember how Haley
Borbour was 9 points behind in the polls in the race for Mississippi Governor,
and out came the yard sign,
with the Confederate Mississippi Flag, Keep the Flag, Change The
Governor. The famous conversation between White House strategist Karl
Rove and Haley Barbour. Karl Rove wanted the politically correct way
and keep the Confederate Flag out of it. Haley Barbour to his credit
pushed the Confederate Flag. The Mississippi Republican Party had
25,000 Mississippi Confederate Flag yard signs made. Poll numbers
immediately shifted and governor candidate Haley Barbour won by 8 points, thanks to his
sticking to the Mississippi Confederate Flag.
Send them a message:
Will the Mississippi State Confederate Flag continue to be an issue?
The Mississippi American First Party challenges the Rev Don Wildmon for being against the Mississippi Flag.
Rev Don Wildmon

The Past Battle for Colonel Reb at University of Mississippi

Ole Miss students to voteed on mascot; but Colonel Reb not on the ballot
Phony Election on Mascot at Ole Miss, on Feb 23, 2010

University Officials have announced that there will be an election of February 23, 2010 on a new Ole Miss mascot. Colonel Reb is not an option and Colonel Reb will not be featured on the ballot.

For the past several decades the Colonel Reb and the Confederate Flag were the symbols of the University of Mississippi.

The University Administration has decided that Colonel Reb causes perceptions of the Old South, an image of which the administration wishes to distance itself.
In 2003, the University Administration made a command decision to ban Colonel Reb, but no replacement has been decided on.

The purpose of the February 23 vote is for students to confirm approval for creating a new school mascot. The restoration of Colonel Reb is not an option on the ballot.

Colonel Reb represents a southern gentleman, and has been a rallying symbol at Ole Miss, since 1937. The image of the Southern Colonel, patterned after Robert E. Lee, became the symbol of the school. The Confederate flag becomes a mainstay image of the school, as well. In 2009, students defy ultimatum to cease chanting The South Shall Rise Again joined by an animated and unreconstructed Colonel Reb.

A mascot at Ole Miss since the 1940's based on a real person at Ole Miss, Colonel Reb has transformed from a character in the Student Annual, to a student cheerleader voted to be on the sidelines during games, to a professional mascot for Ole Miss. In 2003 the University Administration tried to change the mascot despite 94% of students voting to keep Colonel Reb on the field. Ole Miss is now the only school in the SEC that does not have a mascot.

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The Colonel Reb vs. University of Mississippi administration "war" has been complex and unnecessary. To understand it, you have to glimpse the history of "ColonelGate."

In the summer of 2003, Ole Miss students, alumni and fans were shocked with Chancellor Khayat and Athletic Director Pete Boone's decision to strip Colonel Reb from our school. Boone's reasoning was the mascot "doesn't fit anything we do." At no point did student or alumni input factor into the decision to get rid of the mascot.

This episode was not the first attack against Colonel Reb. In 1997 during his first tenure as athletic director, Boone introduced a goofy, muscular, football helmet-wearing version of the mascot. Students ridiculed this decision, as they formed the Rebel Student Union to combat the change. The students prevailed, and the steroid version of the Colonel was rejected. Boone would soon leave as athletic director.

Upon his return as athletic director, Boone decided to get rid of the Colonel for good. The Ole Miss family was stunned. it is estimated that millions were lost from donations. Many emotions erupted as a result of this action.
http://www.saveolemiss.com

The original Colonel Rebel emblem was a black man. Blind Jim Ivy was a campus fixture until his death in 1955, seven years before the school was integrated in 1962. He was affectionately known as "the dean of freshmen" for his many pep talks to incoming Ole Miss freshmen classes. Jim Ivy became an integral part of the University of Mississippi in 1896. Born in 1870 as the son of slave Matilda Ivy, he moved from Alabama to Mississippi in 1890. Ivy was blinded in his early teens when coal tar paint got into his eyes while painting the Tallahatchie River Bridge. Ivy became a peanut vendor in Oxford and was considered the university's mascot for many years.

Ivy attended most Ole Miss athletic events and was fond of saying, "I've never seen Ole Miss lose." A true statement from a beloved blind man and supporter of Ole Miss Football and the Confederate Flag. Ivy was very much a part of the Ole Miss Mississippi scene in 1936 when the editor of the school newspaper proposed a contest to produce a new nickname for Ole Miss teams, then known as The Flood. Rebels were the choice of 18 out of 21 sports writers and the university's sports teams have forever been known as the Rebels. Two years later, Colonel Rebel appeared for the first time as an illustration in the university yearbook.

Political correctness has been a costly decision at Ole Miss. Previously removing the Confederate Flag and Colonel Reb has upset the alumni of the University of Mississippi greatly, resulting in reduction in giving.

Former Governor Ross Barnett Said:
You students of Mississippi are examples of southern chivalry. You have not betrayed the confidence of your parents. You have honored the heritage of your past.

What you can do. Encourage the Mississippi Alumni Association to take a stand to restore Colonel Reb, a new mascot is not acceptable.

George Wallace told us to, "Send them a message."
Lets create some excitement and action at Ole Miss, call then forward the email.
Together lets win the battle to bring back Colonel Reb. Tell the Almuni Association and College officials that we want Colonel Reb as our mascot. Ask our Mississippi Governor to help as well.
Contact the below Ole Miss contacts with phone or email:

Send an email to the below addresses, and let them know, we want to bring back Colonel Reb
tom@olemiss.edu, jim@olemiss.edu, admissions@olemiss.edu, finaid@olemiss.edu, publicre@olemiss.edu

What is your opinion about the Ole Miss controversy?
State your opinion for others to read at:
http://www.southernwarroom.info
Southern War Room

The heritage of the Confederate flag has faded at Ole Miss with the banning of the flag at ball games in 1997. However, the flag heritage is still strong in Oxford, Ms as it is on display on numerous places on private property. The only southern state with the Confederate Flag as part of its symbol is Mississippi. And the Mississippi State Flag with the Confederate Cross of St. Andrews is proudly displayed throughout the state, but especially in Oxford.
Some students still bring flags to the ball games, but Mississippi officials rules ban waving the flag on poles or sticks.

The Ole Miss, University of Mississippi that we old timers remember before the days of political correctness - See Below - When we rallied around the Confederate Flag and Colonel Reb

The good ole days when our Colonel Reb mascot let us at prep rallies at ball games, and our banner was the Confederate Flag. We had a governors who waive our flag in those days, and we still do, but the current governor may not be as strong as Governor Ross Barnet.

In 2011 Mississippi will elect a new Governor.

Despite the politically correctness at Ole Miss, Mississippi does have
the most pro Confederate Flag Governor in the South. To the credit of
Haley Barbour, the Mississippi Flag is proudly displayed on highway
patrol cars and if front of state buildings. We remember how Haley
Borbour was 9 points behind in the polls in the race for Mississippi Governor,
and out came the yard sign,
with the Confederate Mississippi Flag, Keep the Flag, Change The
Governor. The famous conversation between White House strategist Karl
Rove and Haley Barbour. Karl Rove wanted the politically correct way
and keep the Confederate Flag out of it the Mississippi governors election. Haley Barbour to his credit
promoted the Confederate Flag. The Mississippi Republican Party had
25,000 Mississippi Confederate Flag yard signs made and distributed throwout the state. Poll numbers
immediately changed and Haley Barbour won by 8 points, thanks to his
sticking to the Mississippi Confederate Flag.
Mississippi Candidates for Governor - Lt. Gov 2011

The Confederate battle flag, called the "Southern Cross" or the cross of St. Andrew, has been described variously as a proud emblem of Southern heritage. In the past, several Southern states flew the Confederate battle flag along with the U.S. and state flags over their statehouses. The Southern Caucus provides information to promote our southern heritage.

Rebel Flag History

The best-known Rebel flag was the Confederate Battle Flag, also known as the "Southern Cross". The Battle flag was carried by Confederate troops during battle. So, on May 1st,1863, the second Confederate flag design was adopted, placing the Battle Flag as the canton on a white field. It was named the Stainless Banner. This Rebel flag was mistaken for a truce flag in calm weather, since it would just hang with mostly white showing. This led the Confederacy to create the third Official Rebel flag. On March 4th,1865, a new pattern was adapted. It was the same as the previous design, but with a wide, red stripe on the fly end.
The third flag did not last long, since the war came to an end. It was called the Last Confederate flag.
The Confederate Battle flag is the most recognized Rebel flag.
Many people know it from the Dukes of Hazard TV show. The Rebel flag was painted on the top of the Duke Boys' car, the General Lee. The Confederate flag has also appeared on several southern state flags at one time or another.
The only state to keep the Rebel flag as part of their state flag presently, is Mississippi.